Date And Maple Syrup Muffins - cooking recipe

Ingredients

melted butter, for greasing
100 g butter, cubed
200 g pitted dried dates, finely chopped
125 ml pure maple syrup
125 ml water
250 ml milk
400 g wholemeal self-rising flour
1 teaspoon mixed spice
2 eggs, lightly whisked
60 ml pure maple syrup, extra
extra butter, at room temperature to serve

Preparation

Preheat oven to 200\u00b0C Brush 12 medium, 80mls (1/3 cup) muffin pans with the melted butter to grease.
Place the butter, dates, maple syrup and water in a small saucepan. Cover and heat over medium heat for 6 minutes, stirring Occasionally, or until the butter has melted. (See microwave tip at end of directions.)
Remove from the heat and stir in the milk.
Sift together flour and mixed spice in large bowl and return husks to bowl.
Add date mixture and eggs and stir with a large metal spoon until just combined. Don't overmix - the mixture should be lumpy.
Spoon mixture evenly into the greased muffin pans and bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until browned and cooked through when tested with a skewer.
Turn muffins onto a wire rack and brush the tops with some of the extra maple syrup. Serve with the extra butter and drizzled with the remaining extra maple syrup.
Notes & tips.
Note: These muffins are great eaten hot from the oven, but are just as delicious at room temperature. They will keep well in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To reheat, place on baking tray, cover with foil and place in oven preheated to 180\u00b0C for 10 minutes.
Microwave tip: place butter, dates, maple syrup and water in a medium heat-resistant, microwave-safe bowl or jug. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes on Medium-High/650watts/70% or until the butter has melted.